Sony and Marvel Studios to Collaborate on New Spider-Man Films
Image source: Sony
Sony and Marvel Studios have announced a collaboration deal that will allow Spider-Man to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In a joint press release issued on Marvel.com, Sony and Marvel announced their future movie plans for the web-head. Marvel film producer Kevin Feige will co-produce the next Spider-Man film with Sony producer and former co-chairman Amy Pascal. The new Spider-Man film is expected to release in July 28, 2017. Sony will still finance, distribute and retain creative control over the Spider-Man movie franchise.
In addition to Spider-Man being able to appear with Iron Man and Captain America, Sony and Marvel Studios are “exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.” No official statement on whether Andrew Garfield, who played Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Amazing Spider-Man movies, will continue to play the role following the new deal. However, leaked emails from Sony suggested Marvel would want to start from scratch and recast Spider-Man, if it retained the rights back to the character. The Wrap also suggest Garfield will be recast.
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”
“We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
“Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future,” added Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.
“I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. “Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.”